All but two of the Groups in European Zone qualifying for Brazil 2014 have had their fixtures finalised, with England, France, Italy and Spain starting out away to Moldova, Finland, Bulgaria and Georgia respectively.
"We’re not favourites: Russia have a lot of talented individuals and Israel have proven they are very dangerous opponents for any team,” Portugal coach Paulo Bento.
Group F features a couple of heavyweights in the form of Portugal and Russia who will both see themselves as destined for top spot, but the likes of Israel and Northern Ireland will look to rock the boat.
The draw for the European zone yielded some potentially thrilling sections, with local rivalries set to be stirred and the world champions left to do battle with another winner of football's ultimate prize.
Switzerland and Slovakia seized Europe's last two automatic berths in South Africa, while Portugal, Greece, Slovenia and Ukraine made the play-offs.
Switzerland drew 0-0 at home to Israel to bank top spot in Group 2 and qualification for next year's FIFA World Cup at the expense of Greece.
